Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub releases annual report

The EPSRC Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub has announced that the 2018/2019 Annual Report has now been released.

With a welcome executive summary from Hub Director Professor Nick Warrior, the report contains highlights from another busy and successful year and includes the introduction of new academic partners Ulster University, the University of Sheffield and Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Professor Nick Warrior welcomes those in the industry to make the most of this report: “It’s an exciting time and I hope you enjoy reading further about our highlights in composites manufacturing. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all those who are driving forward the Hub with dedication, hard work and vision.”

The Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub is a £10.3 million investment by the EPSRC to engage academics from across the UK to deliver a step-change in the production of polymer matrix composites.

The Hub is led by the University of Nottingham and the University of Bristol and initially included four other Spokes: Cranfield University, Imperial College London, the University of Manchester, and the University of Southampton.

Three new academic partners joined the Hub in October 2017 following the first call for Feasibility Study proposals in May 2017: the University of Cambridge, The University of Edinburgh, and the University of Glasgow. Brunel University London joined the Hub in January 2018 following a second call for Feasibility Study proposals in October 2017. The Hub is supported by four High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres and backed by 18 leading companies from the composites sector, offering a further £12.7 million in additional support.

Building on the success of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites (CIMComp), the Hub will drive the development of automated manufacturing technologies that deliver components and structures for demanding applications, particularly in the aerospace, transportation, construction and energy sectors.